College Blog - 24.4.26

Bridging the Gap (BTG) Update

BTG students have shared reflections on their experiences during their work-based placements. Please view the videos below for further insight.

I am extremely proud of all our students and the progress they have made over the past two half terms. During this period, students have demonstrated significant personal and professional development.

They have increased in confidence, strengthened their communication and customer service skills, and gained valuable insight into the expectations and realities of the workplace. The progress achieved highlights their commitment and readiness for future employment opportunities.

Natasha Hughes

Olivia

Hello, I am Olivia. I recently moved from Pre-Interns to BTG, and I am working towards setting up my own business on Etsy in the future. 

From Tuesday to Thursday, I work on my own merchandise. My business will sell merchandise of characters from other franchises, including pieces such as keyrings, stickers, hair clips, posters, and pin badges. My stickers are made in college using the printer, but my acrylic and enamel pieces are made with Vograce, an online manufacturer that prioritises artists and affordability over profit. 

Since moving to BTG, I have had more time to work on becoming self employed by the time I leave. I hope by the time I have left, I will have a wider range of franchises to choose from, a more diverse selection of merchandise, open commissions so I can create completely custom merch for a higher price and the ability to ship my products to different countries. 

Below are images of the physical merchandise I have created so far. These are my personal merchandise I have created to test creating different pieces using Vograce. 

D of E

Silver & Gold DofE Practice Expedition Success

Our Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award students recently completed their practice expedition, taking on a challenging but rewarding two-day adventure.

Students were split into three walking groups, each covering between 7–10 miles across varied terrain. Despite strong winds throughout the day, all groups showed excellent resilience and teamwork. It was fantastic to see every student carrying their own equipment, some navigating with support, and embracing the experience of the great outdoors. All groups reached their designated checkpoints safely, demonstrating strong group management skills.

The evening saw us camp at Doghill, where conditions became significantly more challenging. The wind was particularly severe, making it difficult to pitch tents and settle in for the night. Throughout the evening, the relentless gusts created a cold and noisy environment, testing everyone’s determination and adaptability.

Despite this, spirits remained high.

The following morning, students reflected positively on their experience. Many highlighted how much they enjoyed the walking aspect of the expedition, as well as the opportunity to socialise and bond with their peers outside of the classroom setting.

Day two involved a shorter walk for all groups before returning to college. Once again, students performed exceptionally well, showing resilience, teamwork, and perseverance—especially given the tough weather conditions.

Overall, this was a highly successful practice expedition, and all students should be extremely proud of their efforts.

Now, we look ahead to the qualifying expedition in June!